METHADONE RESTRICTIONS

Methadone dispensing in Delta will be restricted to hospital zones, if a
bylaw is adopted as planned next Monday.

The Leader has learned that Delta staff will present a bylaw to council
amid concerns of an influx of methadone dispensaries trying to avoid the
high cost of licenses to run the business in Surrey.

A number of Surrey councillors feel the stand-alone methadone dispensaries
are poorly regulated, and attract people who are addicted to drugs other
than methadone.

Last November, the city cranked up the price of a methadone dispensing
business licence from $195 per year to $10,000 annually. In addition,
Surrey will be considering a bylaw next week that allows senior RCMP
officers to examine the client lists of the pharmacies.

Delta Mayor Lois Jackson told The Leader last week she feared an influx of
methadone dispensaries during Surrey's crackdown.